Method manufacturing an epilatory strip and strips obtainable by the method

ABSTRACT

A method for manufacturing an epilatory strip by providing a first laminate of a pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive sandwiched between a support layer and a first release liner that in combination provide a width to the first laminate; delaminating the width of the first laminate by unwinding the first release liner and exposing an area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive; applying at least one mask or cover material onto the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive on at least one edge area of the delaminated first laminate to provide a second laminate presenting an exposed area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive; and providing a second release liner to cover at least a portion of exposed area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive to provide a width of epilatory strip material. Thus, hypoallergenic, non-irritant epilatory strips are obtained using the method according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an epilatorystrip, and epilatory strips obtainable by said method.

Epilation is the removal of the entire hair, including the part belowthe skin. Pulling the hair out of the hair follicle is preferred by manypeople rather than depilation because the hair removal lasts longer,ranging from several days to several weeks.

Self-epilation can be performed using various types of conventionalepilatory means, usually involving use of melted or heated wax. To thataspect an epilatory strip includes a thick layer of a sticky wax, whichis heated in order to encapsulate and trap the unwanted hair. Once thehair has a good grip in the wax, the hairs can be ripped off securelyintegrated in the wax on the strip. The strip needs to be left on theskin long enough for the wax to cool and harden in order to trap thehairs with a strong adhesive force. Ripping hair off this way causesgreat pain, and often sticky debris from the wax is left on the skin,thereby inducing skin irritation and erythema due to content ofcolophony. The common approach to minimize such disadvantages is toreduce thickness of wax so that cooling can happen faster, which howevercompromises the efficiency of the hair removal. Thus, self-epilation maynot only be painful and time-consuming, self-epilation may also be veryineffective and inflict on the skin's condition, e.g. causing variouskinds of dermatitis or allergic cutaneous manifestations. Instead manypeople invest in epilation performed by skilled persons at high costs,e.g. using methods such as electroepilation or photoepilation.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,470,877 describes a method for removing hairs from theskin by placing a very thin layer of pressure-sensitive fluid adhesiveon the skin to encapsulate the individual hairs to be removed. A secondlayer of higher viscosity pressure-sensitive fluid adhesive is thenspread over the first adhesive layer and pressed against it after whichthe second adhesive is peeled away from the skin, which carries away thehairs and the fluid adhesive. This two step method is difficult for aperson to perform herself, in particular at difficult accessible skinlocations, and there is a risk that the fluid adhesive flows tounintended locations prior to use.

International patent application no. WO2009/006681 relates to anepilatory strip for removing unwanted hair from skin. The stripcomprises a support layer, which has an adhesive coating on it. Theadhesive attaches to hair, and the coating covers a substantial portionof the area of the support layer. The epilatory strip also includes apeel-off protective layer, which covers the adhesive coating and can beremoved prior to application of the strip on to skin. In order toachieve a painless non-irritating stripping of hair from the skin aloevera and/or vitamin E is added to the adhesive, both in concentrationsof up to 25% by weight of the adhesive coating. Thus WO2009/006681 hasrealized the noticeable discomforts of using epilatory strips based onadhesives but provides a solution including additives in highconcentrations, thereby a.o. increasing costs substantially. Even thoughhypersensitivity to vitamin E is scarcely reported it is a well-knownrealization that the more chemical compounds and the higher theirconcentrations in a product are, the higher is the risk that at leastone of the compounds will cause contact allergic reactions. The user mayeven be inclined to leave the strip for longer periods to wait for thesuggested beneficial pain-reducing and irritation-avoiding properties ofthe epilatory strip disclosed in WO2009/006681 before ripping off thehair, thereby increasing the exposure time to the skin.

Thus the fewer chemical compounds in an adhesive coating the smaller therisk of allergic skin reactions.

Due to the disadvantages and short-comings of the prior art epilatorystrips there is a need for alternatives and improvements.

In a first aspect according to the present invention is provided anepilatory strip of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which hasa simple structure.

In a second aspect according to the present invention is provided anepilatory strip of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which isinexpensive and easy to use.

In a third aspect according to the present invention is provided anepilatory strip of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which isskin-friendly and includes a biocompatible adhesive.

In a fourth aspect according to the present invention is provided anepilatory strip of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which isresilient and is able to conform to human body cavities and/orconvexities.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention is provided anepilatory strip of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph whichembeds and traps hair more reliable than known epilatory strips.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention is provided amethod for manufacturing an epilatory strip.

The below test methods are defined in FINAT Technical Handbook 7thedition, 2005. FINAT is the International Federation of Manufacturersand Converters of Self-adhesive and Heat Seals Materials on Paper andOther Substrates. The FINAT test methods are used for testing peeladhesion (FTM 1), resistance to shear (FTM 8) and loop tack measurement(FTM 9) and values of these parameters are stated in the presentapplication for the behavior and performance of epilatory strip testitems when tested by the standard FINAT method, not on the users skin,because the skin is not a standard reference surface.

Within the context of the present invention the term “peel adhesion” isused to express the adhesion power between the adhesive and a surface.The peel adhesion test (FTM 1) serves to quantify the permanence ofadhesion or peelability of self-adhesive pressure-sensitive materials.“Peel adhesion” is defined as the force required to removepressure-sensitive coated material applied to a standard test plateunder specified conditions from said plate at a specified angle andspeed. The test strip is 25 mm wide and has a minimum length of 175 mm.The strip is peeled through an angle of 180° with a jaw separation rateof 300 mm per minute with an accuracy of ±2%. Further test conditionsare temperature (T) 23° C.±2° C. and relative humidity (RH) 50%±5%. Thevalue of the peel adhesion gives an indication about the force requiredto pull the strip off an individual's skin.

Within the context of the present invention the term “resistance toshear” refers to the cohesive force between the molecules of theadhesive. Resistance to shear is measured as resistance to shear from astandard surface according to FTM 8, wherein the resistance to shear isdefined as the time required for a standard area of 25 mm×25 mm ofpressure-sensitive coated material to slide from a standard flat surfacein a direction parallel to the surface. The resistance to shear testgives an indication of the likely mode of bond failure, i.e. adhesivefailure or cohesion failure. The test strips are 25 mm wide and have aminimum length of 175 mm in the machine direction. Further testconditions are temperature (T) 23° C.±2° C. and relative humidity (RH)50%±5%. The higher resistance to shear, the less residues the adhesiveleaves on the skin.

Within the context of the present invention the term “loop tack” refersto the initial grab or tack of the adhesive once it touches a surface,such as the individual's skin, and without applying pressure to theadhesive. Good tack value of a hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive ishighly important is highly important to ensure that hair can besatisfyingly stripped off the skin.

The “loop” tack value” of a pressure-sensitive material is defined inFTM 9 and is expressed as the force required to separate, at a specifiedspeed of 300 mm per minute in the test machine direction, a test itembeing a loop made of an adhesive-coated material strip 25 mm wide and175 mm long and folded so that the adhesive faces outermost. In the FTM9 test the exposed adhesive is brought into contact with a specifiedarea of a glass standard surface and then subjected to pulling forcesperpendicularly away from the standard surface until detachment fromsaid standard surface. Further test conditions are temperature (T) 23°C.±2° C. and relative humidity (RH) 50%±5%.

The term “adhesive coat weight” refers to the amount in g/m² of drypressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive on a standard area of substrate.Numerical coat weight values are obtained from cut samples using thetest method defined in ISO 536.

The novel and unique whereby the above and other aspects are achievedaccording to the present invention consists in that the method comprises

-   -   providing a width of a first laminate consisting of a        pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive sandwiched between a        support layer and a first release liner,    -   delaminating the width of first laminate by unwinding the first        release liner and exposing an area of pressure-sensitive,        hot-melt adhesive, and    -   providing a second release liner to cover at least a portion of        exposed area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive to provide        a width of epilatory strip material.

The term “pressure-sensitive” indicates, that the bonding force isinfluenced by the amount of pressure, which is used to apply theadhesive to the selected surface. Pressure-sensitive adhesive aredesigned to form a bond and hold properly at room temperatures.Pressure-sensitive adhesives reduce or lose their tack at coldtemperatures and reduce their shear holding ability at hightemperatures. The “hot-melt” adhesives used in the present invention arethermoplastics, tacky in hot state, sets fast in few seconds to oneminute, are highly cohesive, have long shelf life and can be disposed ofwithout special precautions. Low-viscosity, high-tack,pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesives such asstyrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene tri-block copolymer and/orstyrene-ethylene/propylene di-block copolymer are preferred.

Due to being sandwiched inside the first laminate thepressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive is protected on both sides priorto being incorporated in epilatory strips. The risk that thepressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive becomes contaminated issubstantially eliminated. No pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive isexposed to the environment for long periods during manufacturing theepilatory strip, and high bonding and tacking properties of thepressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive are well-preserved. The abovemethod is simple and fast and uses simple means to make an inexpensiveepilatory strip, which is easy to use by a person intending to removehair from a chosen skin area.

The method may also include to apply at least one mask or cover materialonto the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive on at least one edge areaof the delaminated first laminate to provide a second laminatepresenting an exposed area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive fortacking hairs. The mask or cover material expediently serves to preventthe second release liner from bonding to the masked or covered edge areaof the delaminated first laminate.

Thus the firm bonding ability of the pressure-sensitive, hot-meltadhesive is expediently utilized to bond said one or more mask or covermaterials to at least one edge area of the delaminated first laminate.The user never gets sticky fingers because the user does not need totouch the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive with his/hers fingers.Preferably, the mask or cover material is permanently bonded to thesupport layer by means of the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive,however even though it is less preferred the mask or cover material maybe combined with the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive in areleasable manner to be able to utilise the entire adhesive area forhair removal.

With respect to the first laminate the method can further compriseobtaining the first laminate by transfer coating the pressure-sensitive,hot-melt adhesive onto the support layer from the first release liner bymeans of pressure lamination, optionally by means of heated pressurelamination rollers, to ensure that the pressure-sensitive, hot-meltadhesive sticks to the support layer with a greater bonding force thanto the first release liner. Heat may be applied to soften the adhesiveand expedite the transfer to the opposite support layer, as well as thelamination rollers create a bonding force between support layer andpressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive that is sufficient to ensure thatthe pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive remains bonded to the supportlayer when hairs, entangled and tacked by the pressure-sensitive,hot-melt adhesive, are ripped off.

The first release liner, e.g. a paper or silicon release liner, thusonly serves as a temporary carrier of the pressure-sensitive, hot-meltadhesive, and is selected by its property to easily let off an adhesivecoating or adhesive deposition. Transfer coating is highly preferredbecause the position, the layer thickness, and hardness or softness ofthe pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive, used in the present method,can easily be controlled without using complicated control proceduresand special equipment.

Individual epilatory strips or lengths of epilatory strip material canadvantageously be divided out of the epilatory strip material by endcutting said width of epilatory strip material, e.g. using a die cutter,a punch tool or a blade cutter. Various sizes of epilatory strips can bemade by selecting an appropriate tool. The length of a simplerectangular epilatory strip can e.g. be controlled by adjusting theconveying speed in the production line in relation to end cutting speed.High conveying speed and low cutting speed produce long epilatory stripsand vice versa.

In an alternative embodiment the epilatory strip material can beprovided with spaced apart rupture lines crosswise the width of saidepilatory strip material. Such epilatory strip material end product mayadvantageously be taken-up in rolls. The rolls may be sized for the userto decollate a length suitable for an intended use. The suitable lengthmay or may not be the length between two subsequent rupture lines orinclude several rupture lines. The distance between the rupture linesmay be selected as appropriate and desired. The distance can be adjustedin the same manner as described above for the length of the individualepilatory strip.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one mask or cover material can betwo opposing cover ribbons provided along opposing free edges of thedelaminated first laminate, preferably the long edges of the productiondirection, i.e. the conveying direction. Such cover ribbons are easy toapply in a continuous production line and create, in a simple manner,easy accessible grasping flaps of considerable size on two opposing edgesurface areas of the epilatory strip.

The at least one mask or cover material can be colored or can present aninformation. For example, a blue color can be used for epilatory stripsespecially designed for men, and a red color indicates that theepilatory strip is for women. Any kind of information can be provided onor be integrated in the mask or cover material.

Information can also be provided on the visible surface on any of thesecond release liner or the support layer. Information can e.g. bedirections for use, company logo, or brand name of the epilatory stripproduct. Information can be printed or embossed.

If the second release liner is a low release liner, it can be removedwithout tearing the support layer to pieces or pulling thepressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive along. Prior to removal, saidsecond release liner also provides structural stability to the epilatorystrip. The second release liner may at least partly overlap the at leastone mask or cover material so that a peripheral zone or just a part ofthe mask or cover material are left free for grasping to facilitate easyremoval of the second release liner. A free overlapping part of thesecond release liner can be grasped between two fingers of one handwhile taking the masked or covered edge area between two fingers on theother hand to peel the second release liner off the pressure-sensitive,hot-melt adhesive to expose the latter.

The release liners for use in the method according to the presentinvention are preferably silicon paper, siliconized polyethylene (PE) orsiliconized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) having weights between70-100 g/m², and preferably also being clear or opaque.

The preferred weight of the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesivecoating in the first laminate is between 50-55 g/m². Products havingdifferent coating weights, including weights outside the above interval,can also be manufactured using the method according to the presentinvention. Epilatory strips incorporating high amounts ofpressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive may be useful on very hairy skin,including hirsutism and male skins. Epilatory strips incorporating loweramounts of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive coating may suffice forwomen practicing frequent epilation.

By using the method according to the present invention it is possible toobtain an epilatory strip material meeting a number of valued andbeneficial product characteristics that makes the obtained epilatorystrip suitable for efficient but still careful and gentle epilation ofdifferent hair types from different body parts. Irrespective to the hairhaving different length, thickness, being rough, thin, curled or smooth,the epilatory strip obtained according to the method of the presentinvention is very effective in hair removal.

Product characteristics to be fulfilled by the epilatory stripsaccording to the present invention include but are not limited to any ofthat

-   -   the preferred loop tack of the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt        adhesive is 20±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according        to FINAT Test Method no. 9 using a stainless steel plate as        pressure plate,    -   the preferred peel adhesion of the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt        adhesive is 16±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according        to FINAT Test Method no. 1 using a stainless steel plate as the        test plate and a 20 min. test period, and/or    -   the preferred resistance to shear of the pressure-sensitive,        hot-melt adhesive is ≧40 min per 25 mm width of epilatory strip        according to FINAT Test Method no. 8 using a stainless steel        plate as the test plate.

The loop tack of the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive is high whilebeing cold, but warming increases initial tackiness of a hot-meltadhesive. Some users may prefer to rub the epilatory strip between thehands prior to application on the skin.

The thickness of the support layer may be between 50 μm-1 mm. 50 μm iffor example chosen for a polyethylene film support layer, and 1 mm for apolyethylene foam support layer.

The second release liner may consists of two flaps of release liner,optionally overlapping release liner flaps, to increaseuser-friendliness of second release liner removal.

If the at least one mask or cover material protrudes beyond at least apart of the outer edges of any of the support layer or the secondrelease liner a protrusion or offset between edges of adjacent layers isobtained, which protrusion or offset can be used in tactile location ofthe second release liner, as well as when removing the second releaseliner from the delaminated first laminate having the mask or covermaterial on its adhesive edge area.

A protrusion between 1-2 mm has turned out to be sufficient for tactileguidance of the user fingers and facilitation of removal of the secondrelease liner.

The invention is also directed to an epilatory strip obtainable by themethod described above wherein the adhesive means is apressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive provided as a solitary layer thatis transfer coated onto the support layer.

The preferred intervals of the coating weight, the loop tack, the peeladhesion, and the resistance to shear of the pressure-sensitive,hot-melt adhesive are as stated above.

Preferred thicknesses of the various applicable support layers arebetween 50 μm-1 mm. Particular preferred support layers are selectedfrom the group of support layers including a foam support layer, aplastic film layer or a non-woven layer, where a foam support layer,such as a polyethylene foam support layer, typically is thicker than aplastic film layer, such as a polyethylene film support layer or apolyethylene terephthalate film layer.

The pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive needs to be firmly bonded tothe support layer and to stay on the support layer without percolating,bleeding through or otherwise moving from the application side of saidsupport layer to the opposite back side of the support layer, neitherduring manufacturing nor during storage of the epilatory strip.

Thus it is highly important that the pressure-sensitive, hot-meltadhesive cannot bleed into or onto the support layer, e.g. in hotweather or under other warm conditions. If bleeding, percolation orother kinds of moving of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive away froma skin-contacting surface of the epilatory strip take place unknownamounts of said pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive would be lost andnot available as an epilation layer.

Thus in the present invention support layers being at leastsubstantially nonporous, preferably having zero porosity, are the mostpreferred. Also, the support layer should be non-perforated.

The pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive is free of colophony.Colophony is highly skin irritants, sensitizing and known to inducecontact dermatitis. At the beginning of contact the skin becomes red andinflamed, but as the allergic or irritation reaction progresses blistersturns up and the skin becomes very itchy. Therefore colophony is notincluded in the adhesive coating used in the present epilatory strip.

Instead a hypoallergenic pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive isincorporated. The pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive may howeverinclude another tackifying resin to enhance tackiness to hair, stillthough is the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive of hypoallergenicnature.

The preferred pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesives used in theepilatory strip and the method for producing the epilatory stripaccording to the present invention is Duro-Tak® 8673 or Duro-Tak® 8532obtainable from Henkel KgaA, Henkelstrasse 67 D-40191 Dusseldorf,Germany. The Duro-Taks® are very tacky pressure sensitive hot-meltadhesives that have no content of colophony.

The main constituents of the composition of Duro-Tak® 8673 and Duro-Tak®8532 are indicated in Table 1 below. The composition of Duro-Tak® 8673and Duro-Tak® 8532 differ only in the percentage of individualconstituents.

TABLE 1 Corresponding Components indicated by component brand MaterialCAS no. Percentage CAS no. names Rubber 66070- max 10%Styrene-Ethylene/Butylene- Kraton G-1651 58-4 Styrene tri-blockCopolymer From Kraton Styrene-Ethylene/Propylene Polymers diblockcopolymer Kraton G-1702 from Kraton Polymers Hydrocarbon 68132- max 50%Petroleum hydrocarbon resin ESCOREZ 5600 resin, 00-3 Series from Exxonhydrogenated Mobil Mineral oil, 8042-47-5 max 50% White mineral oilKaydol from medical grade Sonneborn Netherlands Antioxidant 89421- max1% Synergistic blend of 80% Irganox B 561 from 57-8 Irgafos 168 and 20%Irganox Ciba (now part of 1010 BASF)

The pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive may expediently be covered byat least one second release liner to be removed prior to application onthe skin area from which hairs are to be removed.

The invention will now be described in further details below withreference to the drawing. The drawing shows an exemplary embodiment of aproduction line and an epilatory strip manufactured using the productionline by means of the method according to the present invention. Anexemplary epilatory strip is shown in the figures to be rectangular, butother shapes are encompassed by the claims of the present application.Also other thicknesses of layers are contemplated, and the layerthicknesses indicated in the figures are only for illustrative purposesand should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention.Emphasize is made that some layers of the epilatory strip may in fact beso thin that their thickness and presence in the epilatory strip onlycan be visualized by illustrative magnification.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of an exemplary embodiment ofan epilatory strip,

FIG. 2 shows the same in bonded state, and

FIG. 3 shows schematically a production line according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the components for a preferredrectangular embodiment of an epilatory strip 1 according to the presentinvention. The epilatory strip 1 has a polyethylene foam support layer 2transfer coated with a layer of pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive 3.The pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive layer 3 on the opposing longedge areas 4,5 of the polyethylene foam layer 2 is covered with coverribbons 6,7 of e.g. polyethylene film. The exposed pressure-sensitivehot-melt adhesive 3 delimited between the cover ribbons 6,7, areprotected during storage by a detachable release liner 8, e.g. asiliconized polyethylene liner.

FIG. 2 illustrates the epilatory strip 1 in an assembled, bonded state.The detachable liner 8 partly overlaps the cover ribbons 6,7 in theirlength direction, thereby providing lengthwise free finger flaps 9,10not adhered to the subjacent cover ribbons 6,7. The free finger flaps9,10 are easy to get hold of, in that they can just be folded away fromthe cover ribbons 6,7 in order to remove the detachable release liner 8.

A production line 11 for performing the method according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 3.

A width of first laminate 12, consisting of the pressure-sensitivehot-melt adhesive 3 sandwiched between a protective first release liner13, and a support layer 2 is supplied from a first supply roll 15 viaconveyer roll 15 a, as shown with arrow A. The pressure-sensitivehot-melt adhesive 3 has initially been coated on a width of firstrelease liner 13, e.g. a siliconized polyethylene release liner. Then awidth of support layer 2, e.g. a width of polyethylene foam layer 2, isapplied on top of pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive 3. Subsequentlythe sandwich of width of first release liner 13, width ofpressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive 3 and the support layer 2 isconveyed through pressure rollers (not shown) to transfer coat thepressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive 3 onto the width of the supportlayer 2.

The first laminate 12 is delaminated by means of delamination roll 16and waste roll 16 a that unwinds the first release liner 13, asindicated with arrow B, to expose the pressure-sensitive hot-meltadhesive 3 on the width of support layer 2 and produce a delaminatedfirst laminate 17.

Cover ribbons 6,7 delivered from supply rollers 18,19, respectively, asindicated by arrows C and D, are continuously laminated to opposingadhesive edge areas 3,5 of the delaminated first laminate 17 by means offirst lamination rollers 20 to provide a second laminate 21 presentingan exposed area 22 of pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive 3 between thecover ribbons 6,7.

As indicated by arrow E, the second laminate 21 is conveyed tolamination by second lamination rollers 23, were a width of secondrelease liner 8, e.g. a siliconised polyethylene liner, is supplied fromsupply roll 24, as indicated by arrow F, is applied on thepressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive 3 to produce a width of epilatorystrip material 25 that cannot stick unintentionally to other surfaces.The width of second release liner 8 also serves for protecting thepressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive 3 from sticking to dirt and fromdesiccation during storage.

The width of epilatory strip material 25 is transported further throughthe production line 11 by means of conveyer rolls 26, as indicated bythe arrow G, to be cut into epilatory strips 1, by means of e.g. acutting blade. The epilatory strips 1 may then be wrapped individuallyor in sets.

The epilatory strip 1 according to the present invention can be used ona plurality of different body areas and body parts including but notlimited to toes, feet, lower leg, upper leg, groin, bikini line, analarea, belly area, back, shoulder, breast, finger, hand, upper arm, underarm, arm pit, chin, neck, auricle, ear channel, upper lip, cheeks, nosebridge, eyebrows, and forehead. Also, the epilatory strip 1 can be madein various sizes and shapes. Thus, although the above embodiment isshown with cover ribbons other kinds of masks can also be used. E.g. awidth of mask material having cut out sections corresponding to the areaof pressure-sensitive material to be exposed for use in hair removal canbe applied to the delaminated first laminate. The protected edge areathen may have a different configuration and the final epilatory stripproduct also be given different shape than squared, e.g. oval orcircular, which shape can be obtained by die cutting.

The final end product epilatory strip may also be provided with cut outsections that leaves a pattern of hair back after ripping off theepilatory strip.

Variations and combinations of the embodiments discussed above areintended within the scope of the present invention.

1.-31. (canceled)
 32. A method of manufacturing an epilatory strip,which method comprises: providing a first laminate of apressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive sandwiched between a support layerand a first release liner that in combination provide a width to thefirst laminate; delaminating the width of the first laminate byunwinding the first release liner and exposing an area ofpressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive; applying at least one mask orcover material onto the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive on atleast one edge area of the delaminated first laminate to provide asecond laminate presenting an exposed area of pressure-sensitive,hot-melt adhesive; and providing a second release liner to cover atleast a portion of exposed area of pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesiveto provide a width of epilatory strip material.
 33. The method of claim32, which further comprises obtaining the first laminate by transfercoating the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive onto the support layerfrom the first release liner by pressure lamination, optionally usingheated pressure lamination rollers, prior to incorporating the firstlaminate in the epilatory strip.
 34. The method of claim 32, whichfurther comprises dividing out individual epilatory strips or lengths ofepilatory strip material by end cutting the width of the epilatory stripmaterial.
 35. The method of claim 32, which further comprises providingrupture lines crosswise the width of epilatory strip material.
 36. Themethod of claim 32, wherein the at least one mask or cover materialcomprises two opposing cover ribbons provided along opposing free edgesof the delaminated first laminate; optionally wherein the at least onemask or cover material is colored or presents information.
 37. Themethod of claim 32, wherein the second release liner is a low releaseliner, optionally at least partly overlaying the at least one mask orcover material.
 38. The method of claim 32, wherein thepressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive which is provided in the firstlaminate has one or more of a weight of between 50-55 g/m², or a looptack of 20±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according to FINAT TestMethod no. 9 using a stainless steel plate as pressure plate, or a peeladhesion of 16±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according to FINATTest Method no. 1 using a stainless steel plate as the test plate and a20 min. test period, or a resistance to shear that is ≧40 min per 25 mmwidth of epilatory strip according to FINAT Test Method no. 8 using astainless steel plate as the test plate.
 39. The method of claim 32,which the support layer has a thickness of between 50 μm-1 mm.
 40. Themethod of claim 32, wherein the second release liner has two flaps ofrelease liner, with the flaps optionally overlapping.
 41. The method ofclaim 32, wherein the at least one mask or cover material protrudesbeyond at least a part of the outer edges of any of the support layer orthe second release liner, with the mask or cover material optionallyprotruding by a distance of 1-2 mm.
 42. An epilatory strip comprising anadhesive on a support layer, with the adhesive being apressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive provided as a solitary layer thatis coated onto the support layer.
 43. The epilatory strip of claim 42,wherein the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesive which is provided inthe first laminate has one or more of a weight of between 50-55 g/m², ora loop tack of 20±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according toFINAT Test Method no. 9 using a stainless steel plate as pressure plate,or a peel adhesion of 16±4N per 25 mm width of epilatory strip accordingto FINAT Test Method no. 1 using a stainless steel plate as the testplate and a 20 min. test period, or a resistance to shear that is ≧40min per 25 mm width of epilatory strip according to FINAT Test Methodno. 8 using a stainless steel plate as the test plate.
 44. The epilatorystrip of claim 42, wherein the support layer has a thickness of between50 μm-1 mm.
 45. The epilatory strip of claim 42, wherein the supportlayer is a foam support layer, a plastic film layer or a non-wovenlayer.
 46. The epilatory strip of claim 42, wherein the foam supportlayer is a polyethylene foam support layer.
 47. The epilatory strip ofclaim 42, wherein the film support layer is a polyethylene film supportlayer or a polyethylene terephthalate film layer.
 48. The epilatorystrip of claim 42, wherein the support layer is at least substantiallynonporous, optionally having a zero porosity.
 49. The epilatory strip ofclaim 42, wherein the support layer is non-perforated.
 50. The epilatorystrip of claim 42, wherein the pressure-sensitive, hot-melt adhesiveincludes a tackifying resin, or is hypoallergenic or is free ofcolophony or has combinations of the foregoing.
 51. The epilatory stripof claim 42, wherein the pressure-sensitive, hot melt adhesive iscovered by at least one second release liner.